University of Northampton: Social Responsibility Assignment Analysis

This assignment is a comprehensive exploration of social responsibility, encompassing an essay on the extent to which scandals stem from education system failures, a critical evaluation of whistleblowing, and a reflective analysis of business social responsibility (BSR). The first part examines moral and ethical responsibilities within education, linking them to corporate misconduct. The second part delves into whistleblowing, its implications, and how socially responsible organizations should view whistleblowers, including different types of whistleblowers and ethical theories. The final part presents a reflective piece demonstrating a broad understanding of BSR through critical analysis and synthesis. The report integrates various scholarly sources to support its arguments and conclusions, providing a thorough examination of the subject matter.

Social responsibility

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART ONE (ESSAY)......................................................................................................................1
Demonstrate engagement with relevant sources to explore the extent that scandals can be said
to be due to failures of education systems..................................................................................1
PART TWO (ESSAY).....................................................................................................................3
Use appropriate theory and examples to critically evaluate the phenomenon of
whistleblowing, and how SR organisations should regard whistle-blowers...............................3
PART THREE (REFLECTIVE PIECE)..........................................................................................6
Reflection demonstrate an overall understanding of BSR via a substantial amount of critical
analysis and synthesis.................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Social responsibility is considered to be as an ethical framework which tends to put
obligation on the individual and the organization to act for the welfare of the society. Social
responsibility is the key duty which is very useful in effectively maintaining the balance between
the ecosystem and the economy. This study will carry out a reflective portfolio associated with
the corporate scandals which lead to failure in education system. Moreover, this project will also
include appropriate theories in order to critically evaluate the phenomenon of whistleblowing.
Moreover, this study will also carry out conclusive reflection on the Business social
responsibility.
PART ONE (ESSAY)
Demonstrate engagement with relevant sources to explore the extent that scandals can be said to
be due to failures of education systems.
Carroll, (2015) sought to determine the fact that, Moral responsibility is considered to be
as the status of being morally deserving of reward, punishment, blame, act or omission or neglect
in accordance with the moral obligation of the individual. If anything which is considered to be
morally obligated is referred to as one of the principal concern related with the ethics. Making
judgement about the other individual and carrying out an appropriate task is considered to be one
of the measure which has resulted in whether a person is behaving morally responsible for the
behaviour or holds other person responsible for their actions (How company culture can
influence on employees working behaviour, 2020). It is the legal and ethical duty of an individual
to carry out all the task within prescribed moral principles and legal actions. It is useful in
imploring good situations within the business conduct and education system. Moral
responsibility within the education system helps in providing students with high degree of
intellectual thinking which enable them to make informed choices and is also responsible for
making educate judgements associated with the specific situation. Grayson and Hodges, (2017)
argued that, the current education system across the globe is well designed which helps in
modifying industrial time. It helps in imparting high degree of skills and values to the students
which helps in imposing the same within the corporate structure. Working for the own benefit of
the person and finding their own benefits from the work is considered to be one of the key reason
associated with the corporate scandals. Intentional manipulation of the various financial
statements and documents of the organisation within the disclosure are considered to be one of
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the major cause of corporate scandals. Maintaining an ethical culture within the organisation as
of relevant importance in order to perform business for the long period of time. Maintaining an
ethical culture within an organisation is of At most importance which helps in improving the
operations of the business and also helps in increasing the value of the employees within the
organisation on a continuous basis. Wang and et.al., (2016) examined the fact that, any
organisation which is free from misconduct or range of a legal activities is very meaningful and
helps in creating optimal value in the eyes of customers. Carrying out strong internal audit
process helps in safeguarding and various organisational practices and also helps in detecting any
misconduct or error which has been conducted within the organisation. Education tends to play
one of the most crucial role in shaping the future corporate structure and organisation. The
employees who has been working within the organisation are responsible for carrying out certain
set of activities. Former safeguards and integrating with the organisations value and culture is
considered to be one of the most essential factors which helps in delivering best possible services
and emphasising long-term success to the organisation.
Wang and et.al., (2016) sought to determine the fact that, a good education system is
considered to be of utmost importance because it helps students, employers and parents. The
education system of the economy is highly influenced by the bureaucrats, media and politicians
which in turn eventually results in high degree of corporate scandal across the globe. One of the
Key problem associated with the education system is mainly related with the attitude of the
student, disrespect for teachers, apathy, tardiness and absenteeism which are one of the
significant challenges which has been faced within the education system. Moreover Harjoto,
Laksmana and Lee, (2015) argued that, the education system has become more of a business
rather than imparting knowledge to the students. This has eventually led to low degree of moral
responsibility which largely influenced the operation and functioning of the organisation. Low
degree of moral responsibility within the individuals or employees of the organisation will
eventually lead to higher corporate scandals. Individuals today are more likely to be finding
ways which are beneficial for their own interest and helps in gaining a higher degree of money
rather than working in a complete ethical and morally responsible manner within the
organisation. This eventually leads to high degree of corporate scandals which largely influenced
the goodwill and image of the company. Lack of effective quality control system and employees
of the organisation not complying with the legal standards and supportive environmental
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procedures eventually leads to higher degree of scandals. Error of judgement tends to reflect and
management philosophy and organisational culture. We tend to reveal a culture that is insensitive
and indifferent associated with ethical consideration and lacks ineffective organisational system.
It is very crucial for the organisation to comply with the legal set of standards and also legal
compliance program in order to perform better than the competitors and reduces the risk of
corporate scandal.
Watson, (2015) examined the fact that, Corporate scandal referred to be as a set of unethical,
questionable illegal practice which has been carried out by a person or various group of
individuals within the organisation. Corporate scandals is referred to as an allegation about
unethical practice or unethical behaviour which has been followed by the specific set of the
department of the organisation. Employees of the organisation tends to play one of the crucial
role which helps in the attainment of the organisational goals and objectives. It is the education,
skills, knowledge of the individual person within the corporate setting which helps in influencing
the success of failure of the corporate structure (How company culture can influence on
employees working behaviour, 2020). Employees within the organisation helps in creating a
highly influential role which works together to build an appropriate atmosphere which leads to
high degree of success to the specific organisation. The culture and working of the organisation
is highly influenced by the education and working behaviour of the employees. Company culture
are based on norms, values, beliefs and individual personalities tends to represent the complete
business related activities. The norms of the organisation is mainly associated with the unspoken
rules or traditions of the organisation which they follow since the compliance of the business.
Ethics of the organisation plays one of the crucial role which helps in directing and taking
responsibility of carrying out all the task within socially responsible and ethical manner. It
somehow helps employees to do the right things for the organisation. Wang and et.al., (2016)
examined the fact that, the education system plays one of the most crucial role which is very
useful in enhancing the working capacity of the company in a systematic and appropriate
manner. It is very crucial to impart ethical and moral values to the students which will help them
in performing their task with utmost level of accuracy and efficiency. Moreover, the education
tends to play one of the significant role which helps in making sure that it is very important for
the individual to perform business activities ethically and also in the interest of the society. It is
important to work in a morally and ethically sustainable manner which helps in reducing the act
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of corporate scandal. The individual should not always work for their own personal interest and
must take appropriate actions and measures to reduce corporate scandal.
PART TWO (ESSAY)
Use appropriate theory and examples to critically evaluate the phenomenon of whistleblowing,
and how SR organisations should regard whistle-blowers.
McWilliams, (2015) sought to determine the fact that, Whistleblowing is considered to be
one of the act of telling public authorities that the company for which an individual is working is
doing some illegal activity. Whistle blower is considered to be one of the person who tends to
expose secretive information within private organisation that is considered to be illegal or
unethical. Whistleblowing within the public-sector organisation in turn is more likely to result in
criminal charges and various custodial sentences. Whistleblowing into intends to significantly
results and disruption within the organisation. The company is likely to lose control over the
various affairs which is likely subjected to constraints and external enquiries. This is considered
to be retaliatory behaviour. Vitell, (2015) argued that, Whistle blower is considered to be one of
the person who can be employee of the organisation or government agency which tends to
disclose information to the general public or someone of higher authority about all the
misconduct or wrongly doing carried out by the business in the form of corruption, fraud et
cetera. A whistle blower is considered to be one of the person who comes forward and share all
his knowledge associated with the wrongdoing and a standard of the organisation within the
specific department. A whistle blower can be a contractor, employee, agent of the government or
a supplier who in turn becomes highly aware of all the illegal activities which has been carried
out within the organisation. Whistle blowers and clearly report such an incident of the
organisation by filing a lawsuit are registering a complaint with the higher I thought it is which
in turn will trigger criminal investigation associated with the specific department or organisation.
Lins, Servaes, and Tamayo, (2017) examined the fact that, there are two types of whistle
blower within the organisation that is internal whistle blower and the external whistle blowers.
The internal whistle blowers are those individuals who tend to report the fraud, misconduct to
senior officers within the organisation such as chief executive officer or head of human resource.
On the other hand, external whistleblowing is considered when the whistle blowers report any
wrongdoing to the individuals outside of the organisation such as high government officials,
media or police. The whistle blowers protection act of 2011 tends to lay down appropriate
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framework which helps in investigating alleged cases of misconduct and wrongdoing within the
business.
Slack, Corlett, and Morris, (2015) examined the fact that, Theories of whistleblowing tends
to state that, harm based justification associated with the Whistleblowing. It tends to highly insist
that the individuals within the organization must blow the whistle when they notice any
misconduct or illegal practice within the business. By doing so, it will be beneficial in stopping
the serious harm which stems individual behaviour or practice within the organization.
Crane, Matten, and Spence, (2019) examined the fact that, contemporary ethical theories
which are highly associated with the deontology, egoism and utilitarianism. Moreover,
utilitarianism and deontology are highly associated with the altruism which in turn largely
supports the whistle blowing. Contemporary ethical theories is considered to be very prominent
because it helps in resolving the various set of dilemmas which is highly associated with the
whistle blowing. There are various set of dilemmas related with the Whistle blowing which can
be effectively evaluated with the use of Contemporary ethical theories. The Chartered Financial
institute tends to highly focus on upholding the various moral values and also motivate
individuals to comply with the high moral standards and also comply with the diligence in duties.
Organization who in turn tends to largely comply with the various ethical standards must in turn
focus on improving the functioning of the business. Whistle blowing in turn largely creates
various set of ethical dilemma. It is considered to be one of the moral obligation of the individual
which is considered to be very useful in revealing the various set of unethical practice or act
which has been carried out within the organization. The traditional ethical theory tends to
demonstrate that, the individual aims to focus on pursing their own welfare within the
organization. Individuals tends to act within their own self-interest. Harjoto, Laksmana and Lee,
(2015) examined the fact that, Factors which largely accounts for whistleblowing activity or
fraud, criminal offence, Health or safety of an individual is in danger, actual damage to the
environment, miscarriage of justice, breaking up of law, other individual covering up the
wrongdoing of the organisation, etc. are considered to be the key factors which accounts for
whistleblowing activity. Personal grievances is not considered to be covered within the
whistleblowing law unless something is in the interest of the public. For example there is an
increased concern over staffed bullying, patient safety and declining standards associated
with the care. Hayley Dare Has broken song over the safety of the patient. She has spoken
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against poor patients there in efficient staff welfare, she was sacked by the West London mental
health and trust.
Example, another fraud which was examined in the NHS was that, Tim coordinated all the
training activities within NHS trust. A friend of the boss was hired to give training on the
suspicious terms which coasts the Trust over £20,000 a year. Tim could not understand why the
boss was paying money to his friend when the training session was delivered by the staff of
NHS. Tim was sure that his boss has lot of influence within this trust. As advisable, Tim had an
option to go to the NHS Counter-Fraud Unit or director of the Trust in order to convey the event.
Hence, the suspicion of the Tim was right. The trainer and the boss was pledged guilty of
stealing £9,000 from the NHS. They have been suspended for 2 years and also received 12
month jail.
PART THREE (REFLECTIVE PIECE)
Reflection demonstrate an overall understanding of BSR via a substantial amount of critical
analysis and synthesis.
It was very interesting for me to carry out the essay on determining the key issues
associated with the rise in the corporate scandals because of the failure within the education
system. This study has helped me gain high degree of relevant knowledge which is mainly linked
with the subject matter. I have examined the fact that, the current education system across the
globe is well designed which helps in modifying industrial time. I have also examined the fact
that, imparting high degree of skills and values to the students which helps in imposing the same
within the corporate structure. It was very interesting for me to carry out the essay on determine
that, maintaining an ethical culture within the organisation as of relevant importance in order to
perform business for the long period of time. Education tends to play one of the most crucial role
in shaping the future corporate structure and organisation. Corporate scandal referred to be as a
set of unethical, questionable illegal practice which has been carried out by a person or various
group of individuals within the organisation. I have examined the fact that, company culture are
based on beliefs, norms, values and individual personalities which represent the complete
business related activities.
Moreover, it was very beneficial for me to critically analyse on the theories and
phenomenon associated with the Whistle blowing. It was very knowledgeable for me to analyse
that, whistleblowing into intends to significantly results and disruption within the organisation. A
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whistle blower can be a contractor, employee, agent of the government or a supplier who in turn
becomes highly aware of all the illegal activities which has been carried out within the
organisation. I have also gained relevant set of knowledge which helps me analyse that,
contemporary ethical theories which are highly associated with the deontology, egoism and
utilitarianism. Contemporary ethical theories is considered to be very prominent because it helps
in resolving the various set of dilemmas which is highly associated with the whistle blowing. It
tends to highly insist that the individuals within the organization must blow the whistle when
they notice any misconduct or illegal practice within the business. I was very interesting and
exciting for me to gain high degree of relevant knowledge related with the factors which largely
accounts for whistleblowing activity or actual damage to the environment, health or safety of an
individual is in danger, miscarriage of justice, other individual covering up the wrongdoing of
the organisation, breaking up of law, etc.
I was very interesting and exciting for me to gain high degree of relevant knowledge which
is mainly associated with the business social responsibility. One of the key responsibility
associated with the individual and the organization is to duly act within the best interest of the
society and environment of the organization. Social responsibility is the key duty which is very
useful in effectively maintaining the balance between the ecosystem and the economy.
CONCLUSION
From the conducted study it has been summarized that, Moral responsibility is one of the
status of being morally deserving of reward, blame, act or omission or neglect, punishment in
accordance with the moral obligation of the individual. Individuals are more likely to be finding
ways which are beneficial for their own interest which results in higher corporate scandal. It has
been concluded that, Whistleblowing is an act carried out by person who can be employee of the
organisation who disclose information to the higher authority about all the misconduct or
wrongly doing carried out by the business in the form of corruption, fraud et cetera.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Carroll, A.B., 2015. Corporate social responsibility: The centerpiece of competing and
complementary frameworks. Organizational dynamics.
Crane, A., Matten, D. and Spence, L. eds., 2019. Corporate social responsibility: Readings and
cases in a global context. Routledge.
Flammer, C., 2015. Does corporate social responsibility lead to superior financial performance?
A regression discontinuity approach. Management Science, 61(11), pp.2549-2568.
Grayson, D. and Hodges, A., 2017. Corporate social opportunity!: Seven steps to make
corporate social responsibility work for your business. Routledge.
Harjoto, M., Laksmana, I. and Lee, R., 2015. Board diversity and corporate social
responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 132(4), pp.641-660.
Lins, K.V., Servaes, H. and Tamayo, A., 2017. Social capital, trust, and firm performance: The
value of corporate social responsibility during the financial crisis. The Journal of Finance, 72(4),
pp.1785-1824.
McWilliams, A., 2015. Corporate social responsibility. Wiley encyclopedia of management,
pp.1-4.
Slack, R.E., Corlett, S. and Morris, R., 2015. Exploring employee engagement with (corporate)
social responsibility: A social exchange perspective on organisational participation. Journal of
Business Ethics, 127(3), pp.537-548.
Vitell, S.J., 2015. A case for consumer social responsibility (CnSR): Including a selected review
of consumer ethics/social responsibility research. Journal of Business Ethics, 130(4), pp.767-
774.
Wang, H and et.al., 2016. Corporate social responsibility: An overview and new research
directions: Thematic issue on corporate social responsibility.
Watson, L., 2015. Corporate social responsibility research in accounting. Journal of Accounting
Literature, 34, pp.1-16.
Online
How company culture can influence on employees working behaviour. 2020. [ONLINE].
Available through< https://explore.easyprojects.net/blog/how-company-culture-can-influence-
on-employees-working-behavior>
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